Nasal catheter holder



1965 H. F. MCCARTHY ETAL 3,209,755

NASAL CATHETER HOLDER Filed Feb. 3. 1961 HORACE FRANK MCCARTHY 7, FRANK L. ROSE 38 22 IN V EN TORS N! 2L E N BY $ 38a MjW A TORNEYS United States Patent 3,209,755 NASAL CATHETER HOLDER Horace F. McCarthy, North Andover, and Frank L. Rose, Lawrence, Mass, assignors to Avco Corporation, (Iin= cinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 86,931 6 Claims. (Cl. 128-348) This invention relates to a medical appliance and more particularly to a nasal catheter holder.

Preceding or concurrent with several types of surgical procedures, it is required to insert a catheter through a patients nose into his body. The process is called intubation. An intestinal intubation procedure is fully described in a co-pending application in the name of H. F. McCarthy, entitled Intestinal Intubation Apparatus, Serial Number 843,094, filed on September 29, 1959, now Patent Number 3,043,309.

In order to fully drain fluids and gases from the patient, it is necessary to maintain the catheter in the patient for several hours and in many instances, for several days. In this connection, several devices have been used for securing the catheter to the patient to prevent its being dislodged in the normal course of a patients activity.

One such prior art device consists of a headband composed of a piece of elastic which circles the head just above the ears. This type of band brings pressure to bear on the forehead, the. temples, and the back of the head and, after prolonged use, is known to cause some measure of discomfort.

It is an object of the invention to provide a nasal catheter holder which avoids the limitation and disadvantages of prior art nasal catheter holders.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a nasal catheter holder which:

(1) Is fabricated in a simple and facile manner;

(2) Is adaptable for locating the catheter on either side of the head;

(3) Is inexpensive to manufacture and therefore disposable at will;

(4) Is comfortable with prolonged use and reliably maintains the nasal catheter in place on the patient; and

(5) Is capable of being fitted to a plurality of head configurations and sizes.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an adapter for use with spectacles for converting spectacles into nasal catheter holders.

In accordance with the invention a nasal catheter hold er comprises a spectacle type assembly including frames, bridge assembly and templepieces. It also includes clip means detachably secured to a templepiece for securing a nasal catheter to the templepiece.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims; the invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial representation of a nasal catheter holder embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a second embodiment of a nasal catheter holder embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 33 in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a pictorial representation of an adapter for converting spectacles into a nasal catheter holder.

In FIGURE 1 there is depicted a pictorial representation of a spectacle like nasal catheter holder 10 embodying the principles of the present invention. The nasal catheter holder 10 comprises a pair of frames 11 and 12 which are curved to clear a patients eyes and prevent obstructing his vision. The frames 11 and 12 are joined by a central bridge assembly 15. Extending laterally from the free ends 14 and 16 of the frames 11 and 12 and pivotly connected thereto are templepieces 17 and 18, respectively. The templepieces are terminated in curved portions 19 and 21 which fit over a patients ears.

The bridge assembly 15 includes a nose clamp 22 depending from a bridge 13. The nose clamp 22 comprises a pair of nosepieces 23 and 24 which are normally spaced from each other. As will be noted through FIG- URE 1, the bridge 13 passes in the nosepieces 23 and 24 as at 26 and 27, respectively. The foregoing arrangement includes a measure of clearance so that the nosepieces 23 and 24 may be moved toward and away from each other by sliding them over the bridge 13.

Interposed between the bridge 13 and the nosepieces 23 and 24 is a leaf spring 28 which is bent to form a cen tral apex. The spring 28 tends to bring the nosepieces 23 and 24 into direct contact with the bridge 13 for maintaining the nosepieces 23 and 24 at a desired separation. It will also be noted that the nosepieces 23 and 24 flare outwardly. Thus, when they are in contact with the nose, a force is directed against the nosepieces 23 and 24 which further discourages movement thereof. It is quite obvious that the nose clamp 22 in FIGURE 1 accommodates differences in the size and shape of patients noses. The adjustable nose clamp 22 tends to make the nasal catheter holder 10 a versatile appliance with regard to fitting patients.

The nasal catheter holder 10 also includes clip means 31 for securing a nasal catheter to a templepiece, templepiece 17 in FIGURE 1. A segment of a nasal catheter is shown in dotted outline. The clip means 31 comprises a first clip portion 32 and a second clip portion 33. The first clip portion 32 is proportioned to accommodate a catheter. It includes a compartment 34 defined by a pair of spaced peripheral walls which are constricted to form the compartment 34. Extending from the first clip portion 32 is a second clip portion 33 which preferably is a U-shaped member which slips over and engages a templepiece 17. (FIGURE 1).

It is quite obvious that the clip means 31 can be slid along templepiece 17; it can also be easily removed from the templepiece 17 and attached to templepiece 18. Both of the aforementioned features have been found to add immeasurably to the comfort of the patient since a preferred location for the nasal catheter can be chosen.

In the discussion to follow, analogous parts in the FIGURE 1 embodiment will carry the same numeral designation with a prime In FIGURE 2 there is depicted a nasal catheter holder 10' designed to be manufactured at a minimum cost and to be disposable. The frames 11' and 12, the nosepiece 22', and the templepieces 17 and 18 are formed preferably from a single unitary metal stamping and bent into the spectacle-like shape shown in FIGURE 2. Lines 37 where the templepieces 17 and 18' join frames 11' and 12 are indicia. The indicia are stamped or scribed into the nasal catheter holder to indicate where the stamping is to be bent for different size heads. Nosepiece 22' is bent concave outwardly and includes a slot diverging downwardly and outwardly. The slot, in particular, when the nose clamp is seated on a patients nose, keeps the nasal catheter holder 10 centered on the patients head.

A typical cross section is shown in FIGURE 3. It will be noted that the metal stamping 38 includes a coating 38a, preferably with plastic. The. plastic is applied to prevent injury and discomfort to the patient which would arise from the use of a bare metal stamping.

Nosepiece 22' also includes a foam rubber cushion 39 secured thereto, as by gluing or any other suitable means. The free ends of the temple pieces 17' and 18 also include foam rubber cushions 50 on their inside surfaces. The pads 39 and 50 are located at places where the nasal catheter holder 10' bears against a patient. They are provided to relieve pressure against the nose and head.

A clip means 31 comp-rising a first clip portion 32 for receiving and securing a nasal catheter, and a second clip portion 33' proportioned to fit over a templepiece to secure the clip means 31' to the templepiece is provided. It will be noted that the clip means 31 shows the first and second clip portions 32' and 33' in the side-by-side relationship in contrast with an upper and lower relationship depicted in FIGURE 1.

In many cases it is desired to adapt a pair of ordinary eyeglasses (spectacles) into a nasal catheter holder. Accordingly, in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, there is shown an adapter 41 comprising a clip portion 43. The upper end of the adapter 41 includes a hook portion 42 which terminates in a generally U-shaped opening 40 defined by walls 44 and 45. The aforementioned opening is partially closed by an inwardly directed extension 48 from wall 44. The opposite wall 45 includes threaded aperture 46 constructed through it. A screw 47 is inserted in the threaded aperture 46 and is adapted to screw into the opening 40. The manner in which the adapter 41 is applied to a sidepiece of a pair of eyeglasses (spectacles) is shown in dotted outline on sidepiece 18 in FIGURE 2. The sidepiece 18' is inserted into the opening 40 and the thumb screw 47 is threaded through the aperture 46 until it bears against the sidepiece 18'. The adapter 41 is thus secured to the sidepiece 18.

The above described nasal catheter holders 10 and 10 have been found to offer little or no discomfort to a patient, particularly in comparison to the headband nasal catheter holder described in the beginning of this specification. The FIGURE 1 embodiment includes an adjustable nosepiece which makes it possible to fit the nasal catheter holder to difierent patients. When made from a suitable plastic, FIGURE 1 embodiment can be sterilized (autoclaved) and re-used a great many times.

The substantially unitary structure shown in FIGURE 2, in addition to its low cost, can be stored in large quantities in a minimum amount of space in the form of a flat metal stamping which has been coated with a plastic. When needed, it is easily formed into a spectacle configuration and applied to the patient.

The various features and advantages of the invention are thought to be clear from the foregoing description. Various other features and advantages not specifically enumerated will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, as likewise will many variations and modifications of the preferred embodiment illustrated, all of which may be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims:

We claim:

1. A holder device for a nasal catheter comprising: a

spectacle-type assembly including frames, a bridge assembly and templepieces; and clip means secured to one of said templepieces, said clip means including a first U- shaped clip portion comprising a pair of resilient spaced walls having their free ends disposed to provide an opening therebetween for receiving a catheter tube and a sec ond clip portion attached to said first clip portion and to said one templepiece.

2. A holder device for a nasal catheter comprising: a spectacle-type assembly including frames, templepieces, and a bridge assembly having adjustable nose pieces; and a clip means secured to one of said templepieces, said clip means including a first U-shaped clip portion comprising a pair of resilient spaced walls having their free ends disposed to provide an opening therebetween for receiving a catheter tube, and a second clip portion attached to said first clip portion and to said one templepiece.

3. A holder device for a nasal catheter comprising: a unitary spectacle-type assembly including frames, a bridge assembly and templepieces; a coating on said unitary assembly; indicia means at the nexus of said frames and said templepieces; and a clip means secured to one of said templepieces, said clip means including a first U-shaped clip portion comprising a pair of resilient spaced walls having their free ends disposed to provide an opening therebetween for receiving a catheter tube, and a second clip portion attached to said first clip portion and to said one templepiece.

4. A holder device for a nasal catheter comprising: a unitary spectacle-type assembly including frames, a bridge assembly, and templepieces having curved ends; a plastic coating on said unitary assembly; soft pads on the inside surfaces of said bridge assembly and said curved portions; indicia means at the nexus of said frames and said templepieces; a clip means secured to one of said templepieces, said clip means including a first U-shaped clip portion comprising a pair of resilient spaced walls having their free ends disposed to provide an opening therebetween for receiving a catheter tube, and a second clip portion attached to said first clip portion and to said one templepiece.

5. A holder device for a nasal catheter comprising: frames having templepieces attached thereto; a bridge assembly having a bridge member interconnecting said frames; normally spaced nosepieces depending from said bridge member and adapted to move toward and away from each other, and a leaf spring bent into angularly displaced portions joined at a central apex interposed between said bridge member and said nosepieces urging said nosepieces; a clip means secured to one of said templepieces, said clip means including a first U-shaped clip portion comprising a pair of resilient spaced walls having their free ends disposed to provide an opening therebetween for receiving a catheter tube, and a second clip portion attached to said first clip portion and to said one templepiece.

6. A holder device for a nasal catheter comprising: a unitary spectacle-type assembly including frames, a bridge assembly and templepieces; scribe marks disposed at the nexus of said frames and said templepieces; a coating on said unitary assembly; a clip means secured to one of said templepieces, said clip means including a first U-shaped clip portion comprising a pair of resilient spaced walls having their free ends disposed to provide an opening therebetween for receiving a catheter tube, and a second clip portion attached to said first clip portion and to said one templepiece.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS (Other references on following page) 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS Tremblay 29-20 McDonald 88-52 Kenly 24-263 Nagel 88-52 Nelson 88-52 Stegeman 88-41 Ralph 351-55 Tafilow 128-350 Aufricht 88-52 Morse 24-73 Aufricht 128-76 6 FOREIGN PATENTS 378,325 7/ 23 Germany. 550,843 11/56 Italy. 262,014 9/49 Switzerland.

OTHER REFERENCES Paramount Optical Mfg. Corp., advertisement received in Patent Ofiice, Nov. 1, 1949.

Manufacturing Optican (publication) January 1951, 10 Walter Jameson Ltd.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT E. MORGAN, JORDAN FRANKLIN,

Examiners. 

1. A HOLDER DEVICE FOR A NASAL CATHETER COMPRISING: A SPECTACLE-TYPE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING FRAMES, A BRIDGE ASSEMBLY AND TEMPLEPIECES; AND CLIP MEANS SECURED TO ONE OF SAID TEMPLEPIECES, SAID CLIP MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST USHAPED CLIP PORTION COMPRISING A PAIR OF RESILIENT SPACED WALLS HAVING THEIR FREE ENDS DISPOSED TO PROVIDE AN OPENING THEREBETWEEN FOR RECEIVIGN A CHATHETER TUBE AND A SECOND CLIP PORTION ATTACHED TO SAID FIRST CLIP PORTION AND TO SAID ONE TEMPLEPIECE. 